Peru is planning to promote itself as a key source of fruit and vegetables for buyers in Italy and the wider Mediterranean region, after the country’s export promotion body Promperù signed a deal to become the official partner country at this year’s Italian fresh produce industry Macfrut.

Having sponsored a stand at last year’s event, the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade was joined by several fruit and vegetable exporters and the interest in their potential to supply the southern European market was reportedly high.

This year’s exhibition, which takes place in Rimini on 14-16 September, is expected to provide those and other companies an opportunity to focus on the market more closely.

Last year, according to figures cited by Macfrut organiser Cesena Fiera, Peru's fruit and vegetable production exceeded 8m tonnes.

The Latin American nation is artichokes and asparagus. In the meantime, it is establishing a strong reputation as a leading exporter of other products including table grapes, organic bananas, avocados, berries, citrus and mangoes.

Its exports go primarily to the US, Asia and Europe – in particular the Netherlands, UK and Spain – but, according to Cesena Fiera, there is also a growing interest in the Italian market.

In fact, over the last five years, Peruvian fresh produce sales to Italy have reportedly grown by about 15 per cent per year.

“Peru is one of the most interesting countries in the international fruit and vegetable industry," said Renzo Piraccini, president of Macfrut, who observed that favourable growing conditions and substantial foreign investment had encouraged considerable growth in the country’s production.

"We are therefore honoured that Peru, which last year was able to experience the relaunch of Macfrut, has accepted this year our invitation to be the trade fair's partner country.

“Leading associations and major fruit and vegetable producers from Peru will be attending the event. This proves that there is a growing interest in the exhibition and Italy as a target market for Peru's produce but also in importing packaging and innovative technologies, a field in which we are world leaders."